Bolton: Mum's first Christmas without her 'brave boy', 7

Ted Waring from Tonge Moor was diagnosed at just seven-months-old with a brain tumour.

Ted was in and out of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH), where he had many different treatments and procedures over the period of his life.

But the Bolton community have come together to keep Ted’s memory alive which is making a difference to so many.

His mum Leanne Waring told the Bolton News: “I think it's beautiful that Ted's kindness and strength is being honoured and acknowledged by so many.

Ted Waring and his mum Leanne (Image: Public)

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“He impacted so many and I feel that's why so many people want to support us.”

Leanne recently set up the charity Be More Ted, which aims to support bereaved families, and those with seriously ill children.

Ted had such a huge impact on people during his short life, and following a family holiday, he inspired a project which led to benches being installed across several schools in Bolton.

Leanne said: “The week before Ted was in hospital for surgery, we were in the Lake District, and he saw a man sitting on his own.

“He couldn’t cope with people being lonely.

Ted and his friend he met on holiday (Image: Public)“The man made a paper hat out of the newspaper they were reading.

“And he said thank you so much for letting him sit next to him and chat.

“Ted spoke to anyone.”

The rainbow benches are for anyone who wants to sit down and needs a chat, particularly anyone feeling isolated.

So far they have been installed in Sharples High School, St Maxentius CE Primary School, St Joseph’s High School, and St Peter’s School, Deane, with two more benches also ready to go out, and five on order.

Leanne said: “The requests for benches is getting bigger and bigger.

“His bravery and comedic ways will never be forgotten.

“He was a beautiful rainbow on stormy days and that’s what we hope the benches will be bring to the whole of Bolton. “

Although Leanne says she is “dreading” their first Christmas”, without “the biggest character” in their family, they still feel him in their hearts everyday.

She said: “Ted was so happy throughout his life.

“I wish everyone could be more Ted.

“I am told it all the time, even from people who don’t know him.”

Ted died peacefully on Wednesday March 8 in RMCH.

The two events coming up as a tribute to Ted include a night club event at The Venue Bar, which will include live music and a DJ, as well as a family Christmas party at Astley Bridge Conservative Club.

For more in information on the night club event click here (https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Bolton/The-Venue-Bar/Italian-Vibes-VS-Back-2-the-old-dance-attack-/36418188).

To find out more on the family Christmas party click here (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kids-christmas-party-tickets-739619721497).

More can be found on Ted’s brave journey, sharing what he went through on the Facebook page “Ted’s Journey”.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.